Soldier Field, Home Of The Chicago Bears, Looks AWFUL Ahead Of Monday Night Football Matchup Against Minnesota Vikings

Soldier Field’s real turf is looking rough, and concern about player safety is ramping up.

The NFL season is officially here, and it appears that someone forgot to tell the Chicago Bears that. I’m not making a joke about their play (only time will tell how that goes). I’m instead pointing out something that a producer for the Minnesota Vikings radio network has pointed out in the hours before Monday Night Football.

The Bears and the Vikings will face off in a division clash to open their seasons, and since I’m a Vikings fan (thought that might be helpful to disclose), I’ve been very much looking forward to this game. However, now that I know that the literal field part of Soldier Field might not be ready… I’m filled with even more anxiety about the contest.

When radio producer Chris Hawkey got to the stadium, he sent this message out about the concerning field conditions he was seeing:

“Ummmm. We may have an issue here at Soldier Field. I’m heading down for a closer look but I’ve NEVER been able to see the seams of a field from the broadcast booth.”

As it turns out, Soldier Field was quite the happening place just a week ago.

The outdoor Chicago venue that can hold over 60,000 people had an unprecedented run of five-straight concerts. To clear things up in case there is any confusion, here’s what Soldier Field’s schedule has been in the last 11 days:

Thursday: Sold out Oasis show

Friday: My Chemical Romance

Saturday: The Lumineers

Sunday: System Of A Down and Avenged Sevenfold (Night One)

Monday: System Of A Down and Avenged Sevenfold (Night Two)

One Week After That Last Monday Show: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

A story from Chicago’s WGN9 reported that after that last Monday concert, the grounds crew prepared to lay sod down for the playing field to get ready for the Bears regular season. I’m no expert on grass or turf, but from what I’ve been able to find, the recommended time to allow sod to take root is around 6 to 8 weeks. Under ideal conditions, newly laid sod can be ready to go in 7 to 14 days… but the Chicago Bears likely installed the field on Tuesday of last week, meaning it’s had 6 or less to get ready for Monday Night Football.

Definitely doesn’t seem ideal, and it’s very concerning to Chris Hawkey, who thinks that the condition of the field could play a factor in tonight’s game:

“Alright, I don’t know anything about anything, but look at the seams on this field. I can see them from the booth. They’re trying their best to smooth things out, I don’t think this is… I don’t think it’s overstating to say that this could be a factor in this game. Look at that. You heard about the concerts here last week, the five concerts, but they are actively out there trying to smooth out the seams on this field.”

Here’s to hoping that all goes well as the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears face off… but man, oh man, the Chicago Bears organization is going to hear it the field is an issue during their home opener.

In fact, they are already hearing it from football fans:

If only they’d had more time to prepare…

— J.D. (@fanofkfan) September 8, 2025

Was that put in this morning? Looks like garbage for the first game

— travis whitmore (@twhit78) September 8, 2025

did they roll that out yesterday?

— Tony in Texas (@tonymission) September 8, 2025

That seems very unsafe.

— Beth Way (@Beth_Way14) September 8, 2025

Yikes, what a trainwreck

— Justin (@CurtisCurtisAZ) September 8, 2025

Someone get the “Sodfather” on line one…The post Soldier Field, Home Of The Chicago Bears, Looks AWFUL Ahead Of Monday Night Football Matchup Against Minnesota Vikings first appeared on Whiskey Riff.